NHS assessment restrictions for ADHD and autism cause delays in England

Local NHS leaders across England are implementing restrictions on ADHD and autism assessments due to surging demand and unsustainable costs. An analysis by the campaign group Finally Seen reveals that 15 of England’s 36 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are currently capping, pausing, or slowing diagnostic services.

In regions such as West Yorkshire, North East and North Cumbria, and Somerset, patients may face minimum waits of up to two years. In Greater Manchester, assessments are no longer processed on a first-come, first-served basis, focusing instead on those with the most urgent clinical need. Similarly, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB has restricted assessments to patients meeting specific priority criteria.

The Isle of Wight SEN Support group has expressed concerns that these changes constitute “gatekeeping,” limiting access to essential diagnoses for children and young people. Advocacy groups have warned that these delays pose significant risks to mental health and education. Currently, over 960,000 people are waiting for ADHD assessments and approximately 295,000 are awaiting autism assessments in England.